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Ferraro Foods · 2 days ago

Category Director of Produce

Piscataway, NJ

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$130K/yr - $160K/yr

10+ years exp

Ferraro Foods is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Category Director – Produce to lead the development, procurement, and merchandising of their fresh produce category. This role involves shaping the direction of produce offerings while ensuring quality, sustainability, and profitability.

Food and BeverageFood ProcessingSalesWholesale

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a comprehensive produce program across all categories, including fruits, vegetables, organic, and seasonal offerings

Drive innovation and new product development aligned with customer demand, sustainability initiatives, and emerging industry trends

Ensure alignment with company goals and achievement of key performance metrics related to profitability, quality, and customer satisfaction

Establish and maintain strong relationships with produce suppliers and negotiate contracts to deliver optimal quality, pricing, and service

Source sustainable, ethical, and high-quality produce in accordance with industry standards and company expectations

Evaluate supplier performance and ensure compliance with quality, sustainability, and environmental standards

Partner with merchandising, sales, and marketing teams to develop effective promotional and go-to-market strategies

Lead pricing strategy development to ensure competitiveness while maintaining margin objectives

Monitor and analyze category performance, adjusting strategies to optimize sales growth and profitability

Stay current on produce industry trends, emerging products, and competitive activity

Conduct market and consumer research to anticipate demand and identify growth opportunities

Leverage data and insights to support strategic category decisions

Ensure timely replenishment across all vendors

Implement effective inventory control and lot-tracking processes to support traceability and quality assurance

Maintain appropriate inventory levels to meet customer demand

Collaborate with operations to manage inbound inventory efficiently

Lead cross-functional collaboration across purchasing, merchandising, operations, sales, and marketing

Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture

Partner with other category leaders to align produce initiatives with broader company strategies

Promote a strong, sales-focused culture for produce across all centers

Support the sales organization with product insights and resources, including occasional attendance at regional sales meetings

Qualification

Produce industry expertiseSupplier negotiation skillsProcurement strategy developmentSustainability practicesMarket trend analysisAnalytical skillsPassion for food industryCommunication skillsLeadership skillsInterpersonal skills